Farewell song: Friends, family mourn WNRN DJ

Tim Davis, seen here in a scene from a video showcasing his video skills at WNRN, died at UVA hospital.PHOTOS: FLICKR/AZZ and VIDEO STILL FROM ANDREW FINEIN ON VIMEO.

Friends and family of slain WNRN operations manager Tim Davis gathered at the station on Old Ivy Road for a memorial service on Monday, April 12.

A pastor, friends, and others spoke, but one of the most poignant moments may have come after the ceremony in the grassy courtyard out back, when, after waiting her turn with other mourners, 18-year-old Christina Floyd met and embraced Davis mother, Leticia Davis, who lost her only child to the apparently random act of violence committed Monday, April 5 as Tim and Christina watched the sun set from Rock Point Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The alleged assailant, 56-year-old Stuarts Draft resident Ralph Leon Jackson, has reportedly made incriminating statements to investigators. Following Davis' death, charges against Jackson were increased from attempted capital murder to first degree murder.

Neither Floyd nor Leticia Davis responded to a reporter's calls or emails by posting time, but one of Davis' close friends, Ellie Minasian, daughter of WNRN's assistant general manager Anne Williams, says Davis was a friend to people of all ages and walks of life. Minasian, a senior at Monticello High School, befriended Davis when he started working at the station nearly four years ago. The Hook spoke to Minasian just hours before Davis' death was announced.

"Everyone at the station feels like they know him," she says, recalling this past Thanksgiving when Davis celebrated the holiday at her home.

In addition to his love of music, Minasian says Davis was hooked on the technology that makes a station run.

"I've walked in on him looking at tower ranges for radio stations to get the best signal," she laughs. "Kind of dorky stuff like that."

Davis suffered from muscular dystrophy, but Minasian says he never made a big deal of the disease, and few people could have discerned anything was wrong. He had a way, she says, of listening and offering advice.

"When you talk to him, everything makes sense," she says. "He tells it like he sees it."

–Story rewritten for April 15 print edition

Original version: Reports: shooting victim Davis has succumbed

Update 7:17pm.

UVA hospital spokesperson Abena Foreman-Trice confirms Tim Davis, a victim of the Blue Ridge Parkway shooting, has died. No other information is being released at this time.

Davis' friend, Ellie Minasian, the 17-year-old daughter of WNRN assistant general manager Anne Williams, says Davis was a friend to people of all ages and walks of life. Minasian, a senior at Monticello High School, befriended Davis when he started working at the station nearly four years ago. The Hook spoke to Minasian just hours before Davis' death was announced.

"Everyone at the station feels like they know him," she says, recalling this past Thanksgiving when Davis celebrated the holiday at her home.

In addition to his love of music, Minasian says Davis was hooked on the technology that makes a station run.

"I've walked in on him looking at tower ranges for radio stations to get the best signal," she laughs. "Kind of dorky stuff like that."

Davis suffered from muscular dystrophy, but Minasian says he never made a big deal of the disease and few people could have discerned anything was wrong. He had a way, she says, of listening and offering advice.

"When you talk to him, everything makes sense," she says. "He tells it like he sees it."

20 comments

Native Son April 10th, 2010 | 8:20am

Tim befriended my son at a time when he was in dire need of direction. I'll always be indebited to him for that, and more. This was a senseless act and has deprived the world of a decent, creative, giving human being. But we must go on believing and fighting for those things we believe in - love, peace, a dignified life for all. Let Tim's passing renew our commitment to these things, and in this way we will remember and honor him every day for the rest of our lives.

Kiki April 9th, 2010 | 10:26pm

I knew him and am deeply sadden by this. He was truly a nice guy. I just don't understand why anyone would ever want to harm him esp. for no apparent reason. I truly cannot make sense of this.

Wait 'N See April 10th, 2010 | 3:58am

Scroll down to the SKETCH on the Parkway murders here (not the photo -- the guy in the photo was never proven responsible for everything people suspected him of):http://crimeshadows.com/nicholaou.htm

Seems like a possibility, even the haircut is almost the same. I wonder if this is the serial killer they've been looking for all of these years. It would be a relief if they finally caught him.

Angel Eyes April 12th, 2010 | 2:44pm

What are you, a Kahlil Gibran wannabe?

finnbleau April 10th, 2010 | 9:46am

My heart goes out to his friends and family....and to the person who did this your day will come..........

Abby April 9th, 2010 | 6:25pm

This is just too sad. Another young person's life taken for absolutely no reason. I sure hope a good solid case is built against the shooter. God bless Mr. Davis's family - my thoughts are with them.

Sending Prayers April 10th, 2010 | 1:49am

The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone. ~George Elliot

AL April 10th, 2010 | 2:10am

Extremely sad :( My thoughts and prayers go out to Tim and his family and friends.

Life long resident April 10th, 2010 | 1:25am

Sad

JK April 10th, 2010 | 7:09pm

Death is nothing at all ”Š I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other ”Š that we are still. Call me by my old name, speak to me in the way which you always used to. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, and think of me. Pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let my name be spoken without effort. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was, there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past ”Š nothing is lost. One brief moment all will be as it was before, only better, infinitely happier and forever.

I'm absolutely shocked at this news - I've been listening to WNRN and The Boombox since 1999 when I attended Buford Middle School.

Justice isn't obtainable in a case like this, while its fortunate that the 18 year old girl that was with DJ Prolapse was able to survive this encounter - no one should have to worry about something like this - its amazing how often are we reminded how out of touch with reality the average gun toting citizen can be.

My prayers are with the Davis Family tonight.

Hoolarious April 9th, 2010 | 7:13pm

This is very sad.

Col. Forbin April 9th, 2010 | 7:31pm

So sorry to hear this.

justbeinobjective April 9th, 2010 | 7:34pm

This is so sad...I wish the family all the peace and prayers they can find in this difficult time.

nearby April 9th, 2010 | 7:58pm

oh no. poor, poor man. how horrible.

Rich April 9th, 2010 | 8:24pm

The shooter when found MUST BE EXECUTED. That will not bring back Tim but justice MUST BE SERVED. People who do things like this don't deserve to live on the same planet as the rest of us. I say, SEND HIM TO HIS MAKER FOR WHAT HE DESERVES.

Exasperated April 10th, 2010 | 11:47am

Wait N See: I got chills looking at that sketch! Good eye...

My sincere condolences to the Davis family.

Angel Eyes April 10th, 2010 | 2:36pm

Well;
The shooter will now have the chance to die a lingering death with minimal treatment for his "advanced Prostate Cancer", which is an excruciating way to die. The dept. of corrections doesn't do much for prisoners with chronic conditions.

Well anyway April 10th, 2010 | 5:56pm

how awful! as in the Harrigton case, this serves as a reminder that folks should continue to be ever vigilant even when in familiar surroundings.